Celtic have ended a dramatic Saturday in the Scottish Premiership four points clear of rivals Rangers.
Ange Postecoglou’s Bhoys came through a hectic and chaotic 4-3 victory away to Hearts earlier in the day, with James Forrest, Daizen Maeda, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Greg Taylor all on the scoresheet.
That was despite a simply dreadful refereeing performance, with the officials’ use of video technology leaving fans, pundits and the manager completely baffled.
Attention then turned to Ibrox, where Livingston managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers.
After Joel Nouble’s early goal, the hosts struggled to create chances all afternoon. Livingston were then reduced to ten men after 75 minutes, with a late John Lundstram effort rescuing Rangers from an even bigger disaster.
It all means that a larger gap has opened up at the top of the table. Celtic now sit on 30 points, with the Ibrox side four behind on 26 and having a much poorer goal difference to boot.
Celtic coming through the Tynecastle test was a huge win in and of itself, but with the further context of Rangers dropped points, it looks like even bigger.
Today’s match will undoubtedly be one of the most unpredictable for Celtic of the entire season. Picking up the win, not only unharmed but actually extending the lead at the top of the table, is fantastic.
There’s even the chance there is further fall-out from today, with Rangers fans deeply unhappy with the direction Van Bronckhorst is taking them in. Loud boos were heard at Ibrox on the full-time whistle for the second time in a week.
For Celtic, after the UEFA Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, it’s a trip to Livingston and another tough away fixture. Things are looking good but there’s lots of work ahead.
In other news, Moritz Jenz beams as he learns about his new nickname from Celtic supporters.
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